18 September 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

NAPLAN Results 2018

Congratulations to students and teachers for the strong improvements shown in our NAPLAN results this year. We’d like to thank feeder schools for their work, which shows our Year 7s have made solid growth since Year 5 in all areas tested; Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation and Numeracy. We can only take credit for a term of that result!

Our current Year 9s have also shown progress across the past two years in all areas and particularly in Reading and Numeracy. In Reading 83.5% of our Year 9s showed positive improvement since Year 7 and 90% showed positive improvement in Numeracy since Year 7. We are very proud of these results.

NAPLAN gives us useful information we can use to improve the teaching and learning in all subject areas across the school. When students turn up and do their best work, it helps us to do a better job and makes up PROUD.

There is a lot of disquiet in the media about NAPLAN but we have always concentrated our focus on literacy and numeracy as the real issue for improvement. We use every piece of available data to help our students improve their academic results. Our data clearly shows that we are able to value add significantly to our students’ skill levels as they travel from Year 7 to Year 9.

We also know that if a student is literate and numerate, they will perform far better in their subjects and have a much better chance of being successful beyond school.

The Queensland Government is undertaking a review of NAPLAN in the Queensland context, to better understand the impacts NAPLAN is having on learning and teaching within the state.

The first stage of the Review, conducted in June 2018, focused on consultation with parents.

The second stage is now underway, with consultation extending to students, teachers, principals and other key education stakeholders across Queensland.

Queensland students in years 3 to 10 are invited to provide feedback on their experiences with NAPLAN, via an online survey. Students wishing to participate will require the consent of a parent or carer, who can assist with completing the survey at home.

The survey link is available at the link below.

This project has received ethical clearance from both the Australian Catholic University and the Department of Education. Further information on the student survey and the Review are provided within the survey link.

Award Ceremonies in Term 4

Sports Awards - on Tuesday 23 October during the school day, we will recognise and celebrate the sporting achievement of our students who have participated in the sporting program this year. This is a change from previous years where we, traditionally, have had a night function. However, this year, the more prestigious sport awards – Sportsperson of the Year, Service to Sport, Sporting Distinction Award and Pierre de Coubertin Award will be presented, along with our academic awards, at our annual Awards Night on Thursday November 1.

Students receiving sporting awards – Age Champions, Most Valuable Players awards, District Premier teams awards and SHAPE Student of the Year for each year level, will receive their invitations over the school holidays. The ceremony will commence at 12.15 p.m. and will take place during the Access and Pastoral Care lesson. Parents are very welcome to attend.

Academic Awards – this year Awards Night is on Thursday 1 November, commencing at 7.30 p.m. Academic awards are awarded at all year levels, along with subject prizes for the top students in these subjects. Students receiving these awards will be informed by email by the end of the first week back in Term 4. The criteria for academic awards will be emailed to students next week so that they are fully informed of the award process.

A very warm invitation is extended to all parents to attend our annual Awards Night. It is always the highlight of the academic school year.

Farewell Mr McMahon

Greg McMahon, Deputy Principal is leaving Wynnum High this week to take up a position as Deputy Principal at Albany Creek State High School in Term 4. We thank Greg for his time here with us and for his work here during the past eighteen months.

UQ Young Achievers Program

We are pleased to announce that six of our current Year 10 students have received UQ Young Achievers scholarships for 2019. The UQ program raises and supports the long term tertiary education aspirations, career options and community mindedness of our students by actively engaging and mentoring them throughout their senior years. The focus of the program is on nurturing and developing the educational ambitions of these students through mentoring, advice, financial assistance and opportunities for personal growth.

Congratulations to Zechariah Trevanion, Sophie Gould, Tracey Lakeman, Brandon Jackson, Hayley Austin and Mykaela Williams – we are PROUD of you.

Student Leadership 2019

The process for student leadership for 2019 is about to begin. Students will receive information towards the end of this week regarding applications for House Leaders and School Captain positions.

As always, we are looking for students who:

• demonstrate support of and commitment to the PROUD mantra of Wynnum State High
• are diligent student in regards to academic effort and behaviour
• demonstrate a high level of involvement in school activities or the committed desire to be involved
• are a positive role model for all students
• are comfortable and willing to speak in front of large audiences
• are motivated and motivating to lead other students
• are prepared to ‘go the distance’

We want our student leaders to be loyal, committed, honest, enthusiastic, reliable, possess some common sense, a sense of humour, and an ability to deal with pressure. It is always an exciting time for all of us as we anticipate the next phase of our school days together.

R U OK Day and Flannel for a Farmer

Last Friday saw us celebrate ‘R U OK’ day and Flannel for a Farmer. We are very happy to announce that, along with Wynnum Plaza Coles, we raised $1620.00 for the Farmers appeal. That is terrific and it certainly makes us feel good to know that we have helped in some small way to financially assist our farmers. The students heard Bryce Peters speak of his time working on a very large cattle station in central Australia and his story of the hardship, that can at times be associated with farming in this arid land of ours, was very well received as it came from his personal experience of hardship. Kim Hutchinson also spoke of the current plight of our outback communities with some startling facts of how limited the rainfall has been in the past five years or so. There are some children who have been born who have never seen rain – hard for us to imagine.

Looking out for each other is one facet of our school life that we work on each day. Students celebrated ‘R U OK’ day by firstly checking on each other and their teachers. Rosie and Darcy, our Social Work students who look after our Social Hub, organised an activity where students committed to paper, messages of hope and care for each other. These will be displayed at the school this week. I read the parade a story called ‘Happy’, a story of mindfulness - all about connecting with ourselves and the world around us. It spoke of some simple steps on the path of happiness, a place we all need. We also had a sing-along and performance of ‘Home among the Gumtrees’ which also made for a lovely parade – such talented Year 9s Music students.

In short, Friday was great day at Wynnum High!

We wish all of our families a happy holiday and look forward to seeing us all back here on Monday 8 October, refreshed and ready to go for Term 4.

Warm regards

Liz Williams
Acting Principal

Book Week

This year’s Book Week theme was “Find Your Treasure” so Wynnum SHS celebrated all our childhood treasures from Green, Eggs and Ham to Pig the Pug. Students dressed up as their favourite childhood book characters during the week to get their photo taken with their favourite books. During Book Week staff helped this celebration by reading their favourite books to the students.

Book Week was also the final reading week for the Premier’s Reading Challenge. This year is the first year that Wynnum SHS has participated in this challenge. All students participated in the challenge where we challenged them to read 15 books for Years 7-9 and 7 books for Years 10-12.

During the Premier’s Reading challenge students read a total of 2788 books with 34 of our students meeting the challenge as outlined by year level below. Congratulations to the students listed below who logged reading the required number of books for their year level, some of them reading above and beyond what was required.

Thank you to everyone who helped out by donating new or preloved books for our Premier’s Reading Challenge this year. Below shows how many new resources we received in the Library this year during the challenge period compared to other years. We thank you for your support of the reading challenge and of Wynnum SHS.

Senior School News

Rotary Citizenship Award

On Wednesday, 12 September, the Rotary Club of Wynnum and Manly hosted its annual Citizenship Awards. The Rotary Citizenship Award publicly recognises the involvement of a Year 12 student in the community life of their school plus the broader community. This year the Wynnum State High recipient of this award was Khristine Valdellon.

Khristine has been heavily involved in our school community throughout her five years at Wynnum High and she also contributes regularly to the broader community by volunteering to help others less fortunate.

Mrs Liz Williams and myself were very proud to attend the Rotary Awards Dinner with Khristine and her parents and we thank the Rotary Club of Wynnum and Manly for continuing to host these awards annually.

Well Done Khristine!

Mrs Kim Hutchinson
Deputy Principal

Term 3 Reporting

Term 3 reports for Years 7 – 11 will be emailed home at the end of this week and Year 12 reports will be emailed in the first week back after the September holidays. If you have changed your email address please notify the school office.

Creative Arts News

Band Tour

55 excited Instrumental Music students and 5 teachers took off to Tasmania on Tuesday 14 August for a four-day music tour of the Apple Isle. It was a great experience for all involved with the tour band performing at four primary schools in and around Hobart, visiting Port Arthur and MONA, as well as taking in a live performance of We Will Rock You and visiting the famous Salamanca Markets.

Thanks must go to the IMPS Committee for supporting the tour with a generous donation towards the cost of the tour, which greatly reduced the overall costs for families going on tour. If you can support the IMPS Committee by assisting at one of their monthly BBQs at the Manly markets they would really appreciate it. The BBQ dates are listed in the events calendar following.

Manly West SS Spring Fair

The Symphonic Band performed at the Manly West SS Spring Fair on Saturday 1 September to celebrate not only Spring but the 60th Anniversary of Manly West SS. The band performed for family, friends and the wider Manly community. Thanks goes to Mr Cosic for preparing the band for the performance and to the players for doing an outstanding job. They sounded great!

Concert Band school tour

Next month the Concert Band is off to perform at Wondall Heights SS, Wynnum SS and Manly West SS as part of their performance schedule for Term 4. Thanks to Mrs Anderson who is working hard to prepare the students for these public performances.

Music Fest

Mrs Anderson is taking the Concert Band and Big Band to Music Fest, a competition for school ensembles. Good luck to all involved!

Soundwaves

Soundwaves was presented on Friday 31 August in the Star Theatre. This concert was an opportunity for Music students in the Senior school to present a performance for family and friends that showcased their performance skills and musicianship. It was a relaxed and informal night where highly accomplished student musicians demonstrated their love and understanding of music performance to a very appreciative audience. Thanks for coming!

Music Extension Concert

On the first Wednesday back from holidays, 10th October, five Music Extension students will be presenting their final concert of the year. Ebony Hall, Kennedy Sime, Isabella Guild, Meeka Ireland and Chloe Shaw will each present a 15 minute bracket of music that they have been preparing throughout the semester. The concert will start at 6 pm in the Star Theatre. There is no admission cost to come to the concert, so please come along to support these senior students.

Drama

Three of our talented drama students, Kennedy Sime, Ebony Hall and Alexi Younie Thurtell performed at the Brisbane Powerhouse as part of the School to Stage program in late August. They devised and performed in a production entitled What’s My Age Again? Congratulations to the girls for a job well done!

Year 9 Drama

Throughout this term, Year 9 WSHS Drama students have been studying the unit, ‘Theatre for Young People’. The class prepared a workshop of drama activities to entertain and engage a young audience. On Monday, the Wynnum High students visited Manly State School and took on the role of instructors for the Year 3 students. They were impressive in the way they organised the groups of 8 year olds to work through the activities, developing their focus and confidence and making sure they also had lots of fun. In Term 4, the Year 9 Drama class will return to Manly SS to perform short plays that they have written for the same group of Year 3 students – both sets of students are very much looking forward to it!

Music Events Calendar

News from the Language Department

Year 9 French Immersion

On Thursday August 23rd, five Year 9 French students, along with Madame Fitzgerald and Madame Peters, travelled to All Hallows’ school in Brisbane city to take part in the annual Year 9 French Immersion Afternoon. Jared, Daizie, Alarni, Zali and Kat enjoyed an afternoon of food, fun and French, where they participated in a series of workshops conducted by French teachers. The workshops, which included Celebrity Heads, Chatterbox, building blocks of Lego and rapping along to music, were all conducted in French, allowing students to immerse themselves fully in the language for the afternoon. In addition, the students were able to meet and mingle with students from other schools around Brisbane. Bravo à tous!

Japanese News

This term, Wynnum State High School welcomed 22 students from Fukuoka Kaisei State High. During the Tuesday of their three day visit, Wynnum State High hosted a Japanese Day of Excellence.

The day started with a mesmerising taiko drum performance by the UQ Taiko Drum Performers, this was followed by a Japanese speech competition with brave Year 6 participants from Wondall Heights State School, Wynnum West State School and Wynnum State High Year 7 and 8 students.

All students then had a hands on opportunity to experience various Japanese cultural activities with our Japanese guests which included origami, chopstick relay, kendama and taketombo (traditional Japanese toys), karate demonstration, calligraphy, newspaper samurai helmet making, wearing of yukata and more.

The day was a success with all students thoroughly enjoying their time and appreciating an ‘obento’, Japanese lunch box for lunch.

Leanne Kruysmulder
Senior Teacher - Japanese

Try a Trade Day

Wynnum High students attended a Try A Trade at Alexandra Hills TAFE recently.

Here they worked with staff from TAFE and Construction Skills Queensland over four trade areas; carpentry, plumbing, electrical and bricklaying undertaking some basic skills.

The carpentry “nail off” again proved competitive with Joycee Tupou, Declan Taylor and Tom Keone victorious in their groups.

Joycee Tupou was further recognised as the most capable bricklayer on the day producing a three course “wall” that was straight, level and neat.

All students took some new skills and knowledge away with them… and a tape measure.

Importantly, they gained some insight into the careers showcased. The physical endurance that is sometimes required on the job was highlighted. Wynnum High students showed that they were committed to all tasks by their behaviour; and they are able stay out of a seat for long periods and concentrate.

TAFE staff were justifiably impressed.

Technology

Certificate I in Construction students have produced a cubby house as part of their learning. The construction had key learnings related to design, safety, calculations, framing and roofing techniques. One of the houses has found a new home within our community at Manly State School.

The cubby was moved into position at the school to the applause of excited students watching on. It will now be decorated by Manly School students for their future use as a quite reading hut for Year 4 students.

Families wishing to purchase one of these well-constructed cubby houses should look for advertisements in school newsletters around the tendering for purchase of them.

Sport News

YEAR 9 RUGBY LEAGUE

Recently Year 9 Rugby League competed in the quarter-final round of the Metropolitan Rugby League Finals.

Traveling to Waterford Demons they met Mabel Park SHS.

The team had trained well in preparation for the game and were looking forward to a good showing. Unfortunately, we lost our two generals when starting halves Wiremu Willis and Christian Wagensveld were injured and could not take their place in the team. Some reshuffling was required robbing Peter to pay Paul.

The first 10 minutes looked promising as Wynnum attacked and set up some scoring opportunity falling short through a couple of poor reads.

Mable Park took control of the scoreboard scoring two quick tries through some poor defensive work. At halftime down but not out, the talk was positive about improving the speed at which we played and particularly our commitment defensively.

Getting back into the game for the second half was not to be as the more athletic opposition quickly broke our resolve with a couple of quick tries. They continued to wear us down with much more possession of the football.

Noah Pollock was overall the best for the Wynnum team. Heath Parker-Webb, Michael Furey and Jordan Mason also had patches of good play.

As the coach of the team I was very proud of how the boys hung in until the final whistle although well behind on the scoreboard. Most pleasing was how they supported each other in defeat.

James Look
Coach

Maths Department News

Griffith University Engineering Program 2018

Congratulations to the following Year 11 boys who have been accepted into the Griffith University Engineering program.

Thomas Grunow
Charlie Forster
Jonathan Hindle

Maths Challenge 2018

Congratulations to the following students who achieved Certificates for High Achievement in the 2018 Maths Challenge.

Australian Mathematics Competition Results 2018

Congratulations to the following students who achieved very good results in this annual competition.

Best Results came from the following students:

The complete list is shown below arranged in Year Levels.

N.B. Awards: P=Prize, H=High Distinction, D=Distinction, C=Credit, Pr=Proficiency

Peter Wilson
HOD Mathematics

Chaplain News

Special Education News

Ekka in the SEP

Thanks to Ms Greenhill and her team, students who choose to socialise in the SEP classroom were able to take part in their very own, Ekka in the SEP.

To kick off the week, students competed in a hula hoop competition. On Tuesday, students showed off their fidget spinning and juggling skills. After a break for the Ekka Public Holiday, students returned in their best headdress for a Best Hat competition followed by musical chairs. On Friday, there was still opportunity to win prizes (including plush toys) down SEP Side Show Alley. Students challenged each other in quoits and chocolate toss. We could not call ourselves an Ekka without an eating competition so we went with a Strawberry Eating Contest (topped with whipped cream of course!).

Throughout the week, students who demonstrated PROUD behaviours were able to put a ticket in to guess the number of lollies in the lolly jar. Many students were PROUD and they got multiple chances. When students left the SEP classroom on Friday afternoon, there was one question on each of their lips, “What will Ekka in the SEP 2019 hold?”

From the school nurse

How Your Technology Use Influences Your Child

What you do and say guides your child’s behaviour, attitudes and beliefs in most things, including technology use. Your child is strongly influenced by the way you use technology and is likely to copy what you do.

So it’s worth thinking about the messages and examples you’re sending your child about technology and its place in your life.

For example, if you enjoy flicking through social media on your phone for a little while and then going for a family walk, it sends your child the message that social media is just one option for entertaining yourself and relaxing. It also gives your child ideas for other ways to spend her time.

But if you feel worried about being offline for an hour and you get agitated or snappy if this happens, it can send a different message. Likewise, if you sleep with your phone near your bed, take it into the bathroom when you shower, or panic if you misplace it, it might send the message that you really can’t live without a phone.

When parents use technology around their children, it can cause ‘technoference’. This is when technology gets in the way of interactions between parents and children – for example, when parents interrupt a conversation with children to check text messages. Technoference can lead to difficult behaviour in children like whining, hyperactivity and irritability because children might want their parents’ attention but can’t get it with positive behaviour.

Role-modelling healthy technology use

Healthy technology use is about using technology in a balanced, positive and fun way. It’s also about making sure that technology is just one of the ways that you relax, entertain yourself or get your information – not the only way.

Healthy technology use is also what you use technology for, not just how long you use it.

Here are some ideas for healthy technology use that you can use to set a good example for your child:

• Set aside some phone-free time each day, so you can be ‘in the moment’ with your child. It could be when your child gets home from school or you get home from work, during family mealtimes, when you’re watching your child play sport, and so on.
• If you get a text message or social media update while you’re talking to someone, especially your child, wait until the conversation is finished before you check it.
• Try not to have your phone, tablet or laptop in your bedroom at night. Charge your media devices overnight in the kitchen or lounge room, and teach your child to do the same.
• Switch off the TV at family mealtimes or when it’s ‘on in the background’. You could try listening to some music or a podcast instead.
• Work together with your child to create a family media plan, see an example here and example here. Then make sure you follow the guidelines in the plan too!
• Use technology to keep in touch with family and friends by sending texts, making video calls or using social media.

Role-modelling healthy social media use

Social media can keep you connected with friends and community. It can also help you keep up to date with interests, news, your child’s school and sports activities and so on.

If you use and enjoy social media, there are plenty of ways you can be a role model for your child:

• Regularly check the privacy settings on your social media accounts. Also take care of your digital footprint by being careful about the photos you post and being aware of the photos you’re tagged in. Make sure you’re always respectful in your posts and comments.
• Talk about how you use social media with your child. This will encourage her to be open about her social media use too. If you share fun content with each other, it can be a great way to talk about the things you both like and think are important.
• Friend your child on social media. This can be a great way to be a part of your child’s life and share interests. Younger teenagers might be OK with this, but older teenagers might prefer not to friend you.
• Ask your child for permission before you post a photo of him or share information about him on social media.

Social media is a big part of social life for many teenagers and children, but social media has risks as well as benefits. By talking with your child and agreeing on some social media rules, you can help your child get the most out of social media.

REFERENCES
http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/parents_technology_use.html
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/media/Pages/default.aspx#wizard
https://www.esafety.gov.au/education-resources/iparent/staying-safe/online-basics

Gabrielle Nolan
Youth Health Nurse